Editorial: LaMalfa should remember roots

Our view: As new politicians take office, we hope they remember what is frequently forgotten — that they represent all citizens, not just those who voted for them.

When Doug LaMalfa is sworn in as a congressman at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, he will have earned every right to stand in awe and take in the moment.

It wasn't long ago that LaMalfa was "just" a rice farmer living on the huge family ranch along Highway 99 near Richvale. He was recruited to run for state Assembly in 2002 and won on his first try.

In fact, he's never lost an election since: three terms in the Assembly, one in the state Senate, then winning the race for the House of Representatives last year after 26-year Congressman Wally Herger announced his retirement.

LaMalfa went back to the capital last month to learn a little about Washington, which he knows very little about. In the beginning, he'll sleep in his office, shower in the congressional building's gym in the morning, and try to be home by Friday night every week since he has a son playing basketball for Durham High School and a daughter doing the same at Champion Christian.

These must be heady times for a man of such humble beginnings. His rise to such an important position is the embodiment of the American dream.

We hope, as LaMalfa settles in, he remembers what he once was — just a regular person, one who frequently felt the government wasn't doing all it should, and one who felt helpless to do anything about it.

That's how many of us feel about the government these days, especially after the charade of the "fiscal cliff" talks the last two months in Washington. Anybody with a lick of common sense knew the issue would be resolved, but of course Congress and the president had to draw it out till the last minute — undoubtedly so they would look like heroes for merely doing their job.

President Barack Obama was absolutely correct on New Year's Eve when he said: "One thing we can count on with respect to this Congress is that if there's even one second left before you have to do what you're supposed to do, they will use that last second."

Even more galling is that 535 members of Congress allowed just about a half-dozen "leaders" to shape the deal. There was precious little input from the rank and file — which means that we the people got ignored in this power struggle.

There's a lesson there not only for LaMalfa, but for Assemblyman Dan Logue, for whoever wins next week's election for state Senate, for new members of the Chico City Council, the county Board of Supervisors, for every school board and any other elected office, no matter how small.

That lesson: You are there to represent the citizens. Not only the people who voted for you. Not only those who gave campaign contributions. And definitely not for the party leaders who tell you how you must vote. You're there for all of us.

LaMalfa, a man who will fly cross-country every weekend just so he can see a high school basketball game, shouldn't have trouble remembering that he's a citizen legislator. He's always been a good listener. And when he doesn't listen, it's up to the people to remind him where he came from.